Insurance Needs Specific to Motorhomes Forums

mervyncp

Hi
After many months searching I've taken the plunge and invested in a 1993 Hymer B644.

I am now thinking of insurance and being new to motorhomes can someone give me an idea of things that need to be covered over and above the normal car cover.

I have a quote from Footman James, who cover my Mazda MX5, of £211 fully comp. wife and I to drive. This seems a brilliant quote to me.
This includes unlimited mileage, full europe cover for 35days per year, UK and europe breakdown. The europe cover can be increased for another 30 days for £52.50 if needed.

Any experience of Footman James for motohome cover?

Mervyn

smick

Seems a very good price, but I have no knowledge of the company you mention.

It's worth reading the small print, especially in terms of what they are offering as cover for items within the M/H, and what is excluded. You need about £2000 cover once you've got all the toys on board (well...we do !) Most car insurers offers much less than that. Check on cover for bikes on racks, items in external lockers, etc. Do you need to provide a specific level of security ?

There are a number of specialist motorcaravan insurers such as Safeguard, Caravan Guard etc, who offer significant cover for the contents, and give good cover for overseas trips. You could try getting quotes from them as comparisons - they will both give you an idea by phone / online.

For comparison, we're paying £220 for our 1998 640 Starline.

Smick

mervyncp

Thanks for the advice.

Who are you with?

Safeguard have just given me a quote of £385 which is obviously lots more, but, as you say, it's a specialised policy
Mervyn

smick

We're with Caravan Guard.

Smick

rowley

It is worth contacting Caravanguard.

andyangyh

Make sure you are being offered a MOTORHOME policy. At one time Co-op were offering seemingly cheap insurance. On investigation what they were offering was insurance for a Fiat Ducato - ie. they were insuring it on the basis that it was a commercial van. No cover for awning, contents, gas bottles, bedding, crockery etc etc etc. So, should you total your campervan, you wouldn't get any recompense for your possessions.

A good question to ask is "Is my awning covered?" If the reply is, "What's an awning?" you are talking to the wrong company.

We made two claims for destroyed wind-out awnings in the space of 3 months (don't ask!) and Motorhome Ticket Club paid up both times - a total of almost £900. A company that is insuring you as a commercial van won't pay out for that. If you have an A-class, as we do, the cost of a new windscreen is eye-watering. A dedicated motorhome insurer is aware of that cost and has it covered. A commercial van insurance could balk at that sort of outlay.

nobbythehobby

Hi,

Try also Comfort Insurance who specialise in tailored MH insurance arranged through Norwich Union I think. If you have a no claim bonus on a car, they will usually apply the same bonus to a new motorhome policy.

They are on 020 8984 0777.

Nobby